Reactive component reduction system and methods for the use thereof

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided simplified systems and methods for deactivating, removing, or reducing the levels of reactive component(s) from vapor phase fluids prior to introduction thereof into fuel storage tanks. The simple apparatus described herein can be utilized to replace complex systems on the market. Simply stated, in one embodiment of the invention, the vapor phase fluid contemplated for introduction into the fuel storage tank is passed through a reaction zone (e.g., a catalytic bed) operated at appropriate temperatures to allow the reaction between free reactive components therein (e.g., oxygen and hydrogen or other fuel vapor), thereby deactivating reactive component(s) in the gas phase.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for reducing the concentration of one or more reactive component(s) in a vapor phase fluid prior to contacting thereof with fuel, wherein said system reduces the concentration of reactive component(s) in said vapor phase fluid below the concentration at which auto-ignition may occur when said vapor phase fluid is contacted with fuel, said system comprising:
 a fuel container, 
 a fluid treating zone comprising:
 at least one inlet, 
 at least one outlet, and 
 a reaction zone, wherein said reaction zone provides conditions suitable to deactivate said one or more reactive component(s) when contacted therewith, 
 
 an independent source of fuel vapor, and 
 a flame arrestor,
 wherein only the outlet of said fluid treating zone is in fluid communication with the fuel, such that the inlet(s) of said fluid treating zone has/have no communication with the fuel, and 
 wherein said fluid treating zone is within said container. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1  wherein said fluid treating zone comprises a catalyst which facilitates conversion of reactive component(s) to non-reactive component(s) when contacted therewith under suitable conditions. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1  wherein said reaction zone comprises a source of microwave energy sufficient to deactivate said one or more reactive component(s) when contacted therewith. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1  wherein said reaction zone comprises a source of plasma energy sufficient to deactivate said one or more reactive component(s) when contacted therewith. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more elements which monitor flow rate of the vapor phase, and/or the level of reactive component(s) in said vapor phase. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1  further comprising one or more elements suitable for equilibrating pressure within the system upon exposure to sub- or super-atmospheric conditions. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1  further comprising an independent source of fuel to facilitate deactivation of the reactive components within the reaction zone. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1  further comprising one or more sensors before and/or after the fluid treating zone. 
     
     
       9. A method for displacing fuel in, or vapor in the vapor space of, a container having fuel therein with reactive component-depleted air as fuel is withdrawn from the container, said method consisting essentially of:
 combining air with vaporized fuel in a system according to  claim 1 , 
 passing the resulting combination through a fluid treating zone under conditions suitable to produce reactive component-depleted air, 
 optionally removing any water from the reactive component-depleted air to produce substantially water-free, reactive component-depleted air, and 
 introducing the resulting substantially water-free, reactive component-depleted air into said container as fuel is withdrawn therefrom. 
 
     
     
       10. A method for displacing the vapor in the vapor space of a container employed for the storage of fuel therein with reactive component-depleted air as fuel-containing vapor is withdrawn from the container, said method consisting essentially of:
 introducing ambient air, optionally in combination with a fuel material, into a fluid treating zone in a system according to  claim 1  under conditions suitable to produce reactive component-depleted air, 
 optionally removing any water from the reactive component-depleted air to produce substantially water-tree, reactive component-depleted air, and 
 introducing the resulting substantially water-free, reactive component-depleted air into said container as fuel-containing vapor is withdrawn therefrom. 
 
     
     
       11. A method for inerting the vapor space of a container employed for the storage of fuel therein, said method comprising replacing the vapor in said container, prior to the introduction of fuel into said container, with reactive component-depleted air prepared by:
 passing ambient air, optionally in combination with a fuel material, through a fluid treating zone in a system according to  claim 1  under conditions suitable to produce reactive component-depleted air, and 
 optionally removing any water from the reactive component-depleted air to produce substantially water-free, reactive component-depleted air.